Head of Lower School Music

The Harrodian School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading school in Greater London is seeking a passionate Music Teacher to head the Lower School music provision starting September 2025. This role involves developing a vibrant curriculum, leading performances, and fostering a love for music among young pupils. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in music education, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to creating an engaging musical environment. Join a dedicated team and contribute to the thriving musical life of the school.

Benefits

Free Car Park

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free Refreshments and Lunches

Access to Sport and Leisure Facilities

Cultural and Musical Events

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience teaching music to primary-aged children.
• Excellent knowledge of KS1-2 curriculum.
• Proficiency in music technology and digital resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead the music curriculum for Reception to Year 6.
• Conduct choirs and instrumental groups.
• Organize musical events and productions.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Piano/Keyboard Skills

Vocal Ability

ICT Skills

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Experience in Music Education

Tools

Logic Pro X

Garageband

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking a well-qualified, enthusiastic and experienced teacher to head up the provision of Music in the Lower School from September 2025.Whether you are a talented and highly experienced music teacher who is aspiring to middle management or an existing Head of Music, this new post represents an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the continued development of the thriving musical life of the School.

Working closely with the Director of Music, the successful candidate will take responsibility for the musical provision (performance and academic) and outcomes of pupils in the Pre-Prep and Lower Prep schools (Reception to Year 6), and will oversee a vibrant and engaging curriculum.They will lead the vision for and delivery of the music curriculum in line with the department's development plan and foster a love of music in all Lower School pupils, regardless of their skills or experience.They will lead by example, consistently modelling excellent practiceand promoting excellence in teaching and learning.

Our Music Department attracts high levels of participation and plays an invaluable role in school life across all ages. The successful candidate will have an inclusive vision for Music and will look to make a significant contribution to thisthriving department.This will include the direction and conducting of choirs and a variety of instrumental groups, and the provision of music clubs, an annual production, assemblies, concerts and special events, such as Harvest Festival and Christmas.They will work closely with the heads of Pre-Prep and Lower Prep departments to select and prepare music and to teach this to our pupils.

A teaching qualification is essential to this role.Applicants must demonstrate their considerable experience and passion for delivering music to groups of children, alongside proven behaviour management skills and the ability to think on their feet!Experience in the use of ICT within the music curriculum and a willingness to keep up to date with development in this area would be highly advantageous.Applicants will need good keyboard skills.

Teaching staff at Harrodian should expect to lead a form, run lunch-time/after-school clubs and contribute to shaping the extra-curricular life of the school.We are continually developing our range of teaching resources within the departmentand we endeavour to provide a range of exciting opportunities for pupils to develop their appreciation of Music. The department seeks to promote Music outside the classroom and the post-holder will be encouraged to organise trips, visits and musical productions.Involvement with these latter responsibilities will particularlysuit a teacher with strong organisational and communication skills.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Qualified teacher status (QTS) or equivalent experience in music education
• Experience teaching music to primary-aged children
• Excellent knowledge of KS1-2 curriculum
• Strong piano/keyboard skills and confident vocal ability
• Organisational skills and ability to lead musical events and activities
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Good working knowledge of music technology and digital resources in music education (Garageband,Logic, etc.)
• Proficiency in working with different software applications, including the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and productive relationships with pupils, parents, and colleagues
• Good sense of humour

Desirable:

• Evidence of further relevant professional development
• Skills in arranging music or leading instrumental ensembles

Departmental Structure

This post reports to the Director of Music.

Accommodation and Equipment

There are four full-time music teachers at Harrodian, as well as a team of 17 visiting music staff teaching a variety of instruments. The Music Department is housed in its own building and incorporates 3 teaching classrooms, 7 practice rooms and an auditorium space for concerts and recitals. There are 12 iMacs in the department, each running Logic Pro X, Garageband and Sibelius software.

Founded in 1993, the Harrodian is a co-educational school set on 25 acres of grounds with excellent facilities. Providing staff and students alike with a welcoming and exceptional learning environment, where small class sizes and high standards foster academic excellence, we value enthusiasm, adaptability and a commitment to student engagement across all ability levels. A sense of fun, responsiveness to individual learning needs, and an open approach to teaching are qualities we regard highly. Staff are also expected to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational experience for all pupils.

Working days and hours

This is a full-time, permanent position.Working hours during term time are: Mondays from 08:00 to 17:00 and Tuesdays to Fridays from 08:15 to 17:00.

Benefits

Harrodian offers a range of benefits, including a free car park (on a first come first served basis), a cycle to work scheme, free refreshments and lunches during term time, free access to some of the School’s sport and leisure facilities at stipulated times, access to an ongoing cycle of cultural, musical, theatrical and sporting talks and events, and a defined contribution pension scheme.

For further information about the role and application details, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9:00am on Monday 2nd June 2025.

Interview date to be confirmed. As part of the interview process, all candidates will be required to teach an academic lesson. Preparation work in advance of the class lesson will be requiredand details will be provided prior to interview.

Please note:The School reservesthe right to appoint at any stage of the application process.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. Harrodian is unable to act as a sponsor for an employment visa.

Safeguarding and employment checks: Harrodian is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service, checks with any applicable Overseas Criminal Records body, medical clearance and proof of legal right to work in the UK. In accordance with current Keeping Children Safe in Education recommendations, online searches may be done as part of due diligence checks. Please read our Safer Recruiting Policy and Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy by selecting from our list of policies HERE.

All positions within the School are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Enhanced DBS check will give details of all spent and unspent convictions and other recordable matters. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available from HR. References will be taken up, and the School may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications.